Colombina op de vlucht 1731 - 1788

"Colombina op de vlucht" (Colombina in Flight) is an etching by Johann Esaias Nilson, created sometime between 1731 and 1788. The print depicts a scene of comedic chaos, with a group of figures gathered around a fence in a garden setting. The use of etching, a technique where acid is used to etch an image onto a metal plate, contributes to the print’s detailed and expressive quality. The subject matter, a character from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, and the overall style suggest a theatrical and playful tone. This work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into 18th-century visual culture and the enduring appeal of commedia dell'arte characters.